Symptoms Of Allergic Asthma In Adults

Is Allergic Asthma Curable

There is no cure for allergic asthma, but it is manageable. With treatment of your allergies, you may be able to limit the frequency of your symptoms. Allergy immunotherapy can significantly reduce your allergy symptoms or even eliminate them. Not all allergens have immunotherapy options, so discuss the best treatment option with your doctor.

What Happens At Your Appointment

A GP may arrange some allergy tests or refer you to a specialist allergy clinic to have them.

Tests you may have include:

• a skin prick or patch test where a small amount of the allergen is put on your skin to see if it reacts
• blood tests to check for allergens that may be causing your symptoms
• a special diet where you avoid or eat less of a food you might be allergic to, to see if your symptoms get better

Additional Treatments May Help Manage Adult

While oral and inhaled corticosteroid treatments help many patients, they do not help everyone with adult-onset asthma . Researchers continue to explore new ways to treat adult-onset asthma. Monoclonal antibody treatments are a promising development.

According to the National Cancer Institute, monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a lab that mimic immune system proteins naturally created by the human body. They recognize specific targets in the body that contribute to a specific condition, in this case, asthma. Three monoclonal antibody therapies show promise: omalizumab, mepolizumab, and lebrikizumab . These treatments target the immune system components IgE, Il-5, and Il-13, respectively. By targeting and reducing them, monoclonal antibody treatments reduce the autoimmune response causing asthma symptoms.

Another treatment that may treat adult-onset asthma is bronchial thermoplasty . It uses radiofrequency energy to ablate smooth muscle in the airways, reducing “bronchial obstruction” and “hyperresponsiveness.” The Food and Drug Administration approved bronchial thermoplasty for adult patients whose asthma is not controlled with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists, and current work focuses on whether it can help patients with adult-onset asthma.

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Treatment Of Asthma During Pregnancy

Guidelines from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program emphasize that most asthma medications are safe for pregnant women. The guidelines recommend that pregnant women with asthma have albuterol available at all times. Inhaled corticosteroids should be used for persistent asthma. Patients whose persistent asthma does not respond to standard dosages of inhaled corticosteroids may need a higher dosage or the addition of a long-acting beta-agonist to their drug regimen.

For severe asthma, oral corticosteroids may be necessary. The NAEPP notes that while it is not clear if oral corticosteroids are safe for pregnant women, uncontrolled asthma poses an even greater risk for a woman and her fetus. Pregnant women with asthma face increased risks for complications including pre-eclampsia and preterm delivery.

Learn About Your Asthma And See If You Can Get Back To Doing Some Of The Things You Love

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When you sign up, youll also get helpful emails with more information on taking control of your asthma, tips for talking to your doctor, and patient testimonials from people like you.

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Symptoms Of A Life Threatening Attack

The following signs and symptoms may indicate a life threatening situation:

• Anxiety or panic
• Grogginess, confusion, or difficulty talking

Asthma often progresses very slowly, but it may sometimes develop to a fatal or near-fatal attack within a few minutes. It is very difficult to predict when an attack will become very serious. Any symptoms that suggest a serious attack should be immediately treated with a rescue bronchodilator. If symptoms persist, call for emergency help.

What Should I Do If I Have Food Allergies And Asthma

There are simple ways to say safe:

• Avoid the food trigger. Try not to come into contact with the food youâre allergic to. Always read labels and ask how foods are prepared when you eat out.
• Consider allergy shots. They can train your immune system to not overreact. The doctors will give you allergy shots â a small amount of the substance that causes your allergy. After repeated shots over a period of time, your immune system eventually stops causing the allergic reaction. Ask your doctor if youâre a candidate for allergy shots. Sublingual immunotherapy is an alternative to allergy shots. You let the medicine dissolve under your tongue instead of getting a shot.
• Keep epinephrine with you. If your allergies are severe, you should keep two epinephrine shot kits with you that are always easy to get to. If you have any sign of anaphylaxis, donât hesitate to use the epinephrine auto-injector, even if you arenât sure your symptoms are allergy-related. Using the auto-injector as a precaution wonât hurt you and might save you. Dial 911 after you give yourself the shot.

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How Do I Know If My Asthma May Be Uncontrolled

Some may think if you have a management plan and are actively avoiding triggers, that means your asthma is well-controlled. However, that is not always enough.

Ask yourself if you experience one or more of the following. If you do, your asthma may be uncontrolled.

You have asthma symptoms or use your rescue inhaler MORE than TWO TIMES per week.

You wake up at night with symptoms MORE than TWO TIMES per month.

You refill your rescue inhaler MORE than TWO TIMES per year.

Realizing your asthma is uncontrolled is an important step toward getting it under control.

Asthma Triggers In Adults

People with asthma have airways that are more sensitive to some things that may not impact people without asthma. The things that set off or start symptoms are called triggers.

Adults with asthma are sensitive to the same kinds of triggers as younger people. However, every person with asthma has a different experience, and everyone may have a different trigger. You may have more than one trigger which flares up your asthma symptoms.

Triggers may include:

• in certain circumstances, thunderstorms.

Remember, for most people with asthma, triggers are only a problem when asthma is not well-controlled with preventer medicine.

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Does An Asthma Attack Trigged By Allergies Feel Different Than A Typical Asthma Attack

When you have an asthma attack thats triggered by your allergies, it is a severe flair up of your asthma symptoms. During an asthma attack, your airways will tighten, making it difficult to breathe. You may also feel chest pressure, wheeze and cough. The symptoms of an allergic asthma attack are the same as an asthma attack caused by something else. The difference between the two is the cause of the asthma attack. When you experience severe asthma symptoms after breathing in an allergen, this is typically allergic asthma.

How Long Asthma Lasts For

Asthma is a long-term condition for many people, particularly if it first develops when you’re an adult.

In children, it sometimes goes away or improves during the teenage years, but can come back later in life.

The symptoms can usually be controlled with treatment. Most people will have normal, active lives, although some people with more severe asthma may have ongoing problems.

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Causes And Triggers Of Asthma

Asthma is caused by swelling of the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. This makes the tubes highly sensitive, so they temporarily narrow.

It may happen randomly or after exposure to a trigger.

Common asthma triggers include:

• smoke, pollution and cold air
• infections like colds or flu

Identifying and avoiding your asthma triggers can help you keep your symptoms under control.

Prevention Of Asthma And Food Allergy

Besides early introduction of food allergens and optimal treatment of the skin barrier, there is not much evidence for preventive interventions for the development of food allergy and asthma. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and house-dust mite avoidance were suggested, but in studies, there turned out to be no effect . A Cochrane analyses reported little evidence for dietary intake or fish oil in order to improve asthma control . In addition, a study with maternal supplementation of fish oil during pregnancy did not show an effect on the progression of IgE-mediated allergic disease from 1 to 6 years of age . Furthermore, very low evidence was found in a recent systematic review that studied the effect of vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants on developing atopic diseases .

Breastfeeding remains the best advice for young babies according to the World Health Organization guidelines, but it does not appear to have a protective effect on the development of food allergy and asthma . However, delaying introduction of food by exclusively breastfeeding can result in a higher risk for a food allergy .

Altering the microbiome has been shown to have an effect on allergic diseases like food allergy however, results are contradictive in different studies and studies are difficult to compare because of unequal methods . Therefore, more studies are needed to analyze interventions of the microbiome on the prevention of food allergy and asthma.

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Schedule An Appointment With An Allergy Specialist

Congestion, wheezing, runny nose, and other symptoms dont have to keep interrupting your daily life. Allergists like Dr. Sami Nallamshetty at Florida Medical Clinic can help diagnose the causes of your allergies and help get your asthma under control year-round using treatments like allergy shots, medications, and more.

Knowing When An Allergy Is An Emergency

In some people, exposure to certain allergens such as foods, mediations, insect stings and latex can trigger a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. It is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment, including prompt administration of intramuscular epinephrine, and it can be fatal if not treated properly.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis typically start within a few minutes of encountering the allergen, so its important to call 911 or your local emergency number and get to an emergency department as quickly as possible. Serious allergy symptoms that should not be ignored include:

• Trouble breathing
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting or loss of consciousness.
• Hives Itching flushed, pale or blue skin
• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips or throat
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

The best way to avoid having an allergic reaction is to avoid the allergen thats causing the allergy, if possible.

Your doctor will work with you to create a game plan to deal with your allergy, Dr. Ravell says. This could include taking steps to avoid certain foods or exposures, carrying an EpiPen, taking medication or getting injections.

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How Do You Treat Allergic Asthma

There is no cure for asthma, but fortunately symptoms can be effectively managed and treated. Once your allergist identifies what is triggering your allergic reactions, through a skin or blood test, they can help create a personalized treatment plan for managing and controlling the symptoms.

Avoiding triggers is the first and best step in controlling allergic asthma. While many treatments are designed to treat asthma or nasal allergies separately, a few treatments can help alleviate both conditions.

For severe allergic asthma, other medications and treatments may be required. Speak with your allergist to decide the best course of action for you to prevent reactions.

Can Asthma Reappear In Adults After Disappearing Years Ago

Asthma is usually diagnosed in childhood. In many patients however, the symptoms will disappear or are significantly reduced after puberty. After age 20, symptoms may begin to reappear.

Researchers have tracked this tendency for reappearing asthma and found that people with childhood asthma tend to experience reappearing symptoms through their 30s and 40s at various levels of severity.

Regardless of whether your asthma is active, you should continue to avoid your known triggers and keep your rescue medications or prescriptions up-to-date and handy in case you need them.

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Common Allergic Asthma Causes And Triggers

Many of the same substances that can cause an allergic reaction may also affect people with asthma. Common allergens that may trigger allergic asthma include:

It has been shown that reducing exposure to confirmed allergy triggers can have a significant impact on the ability to control asthma with fewer symptoms, fewer hospital visits, and improved quality of life.7-9

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Allergic Asthma And Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic insects that are found in every home that like to live in soft furnishings, carpets, curtains and bedding. Their droppings are a common cause of allergies and allergic asthma.

You cant eliminate dust mites, but you may find it helpful to:

• Have hard flooring instead of carpets
• Vacuum regularly
• Wash laundry at 60 degrees Celsius
• Use dust mite covers on the bed.

If your child has an allergy to dust mites, you can put soft toys in the freezer to kill the dust mites, then wash them.

The scientific evidence is not unanimous, so we cant say for sure how far housekeeping measures can make a difference. Some methods take a lot of effort and can be expensive, so dont be hard on yourself if it doesnt help as much as youd hoped.

One pest that can be well controlled is cockroaches: their droppings can also trigger allergic asthma. You can avoid attracting them by keeping your kitchen clean dont let dirty dishes or uncovered food sit out very long. If you do have cockroaches, try to exterminate them as soon as possible.

General Approach For Treating And Managing Asthma

Asthma is often a chronic condition but you can effectively manage it by:

• Working with your doctor to develop a written Asthma Action Plan that addresses daily maintenance treatment, rescue medications, and what to do if your asthma worsens.
• Following appropriate drug treatments and making necessary lifestyle changes.
• Identifying and avoiding allergens and other asthma triggers.
• Doing regular self-monitoring at home, including tracking peak flow meter readings.
• Communicating regularly with your doctor.

Based on your age, symptoms, and asthma severity, your doctor will determine an individualized treatment plan. In general, doctors recommend a stepwise approach for treating asthma. Medications and dosages are increased when needed, and decreased when possible. Your record of peak flow meter readings can help your doctor manage your medications and make necessary adjustments.

These are the signs of well-controlled asthma:

• Asthma symptoms occur twice a week or less
• Rescue bronchodilator medication is used twice a week or less
• Symptoms do not cause nighttime or early morning awakening
• Symptoms do not limit work, school, or exercise activities
• Peak flow meter readings are normal or the patient’s personal best
• Both the doctor and the patient consider the asthma to be well controlled

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Are Allergies And Asthma Related

Allergies and asthma are related conditions linked by a common airway. They both affect our breathing by blocking the free passage of air between the nose and the lungs.

With allergies, the obstruction occurs in the upper area of the airway when the layers of the nose become inflamed. Sneezing helps to clear the mucus from the upper part of the airway. With asthma, the breathlessness and wheezing are caused by a narrowing of the bronchioles. Inflammation of the small airways layers may cause mucus to increase, making the obstruction worse. The dry cough that develops in the airways helps to clear out the mucus. An allergic reaction in the lungs can develop into asthma, so its important to immediately address the symptoms to control both conditions.

Did You Know:

When To See A Gp

See a GP if you think you or your child may have asthma.

Several conditions can cause similar symptoms, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and correct treatment.

The GP will usually be able to diagnose asthma by asking about symptoms and carrying out some simple tests.

Find out more about how asthma is diagnosed.

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You Should Create An Asthma Action Plan

The American Lung Association recommends that all people with asthma create an Asthma Action Plan, which is a written plan for asthma management. If you have adult-onset asthma, work with your doctor to create a plan for yourself. This tool can help you monitor symptoms, keep track of your medications, and guide you in an emergency.

Your Asthma Action Plan should include your triggers, symptoms of worsening asthma, and symptoms of severe asthma. It should also include a list of your preventative medications and corresponding dosages as well as a list of your quick-relief medications and their dosages for episodes of increased symptoms. Lastly, include instructions on what to do in case of a severe flare-up.

Be sure to add the phone number for the emergency department, your doctor’s emergency number, the number of a family or friend for support, and transportation information. You may not think clearly during a medical emergency and having this information in one place can help you get the care you need in a stressful time.